A great way to grow your business is by connecting with others in the industry.  But, it can be hard.  Questions like who to talk with and what to say can be barriers that keep us insulated and missing out on the knowledge and experience of other plantscapers.

Connecting With Plantscapers
The first step is always reaching out.  The old seek and you will find approach.  It starts with you - Writing an e-mail, making a call, attending a seminar, posting a comment.  Don’t wait for others to come to you.  Go to them.  Chances are you’ll be welcomed.  If not, don’t take it personally - just move on to the next person. 

Here’s an example.  Below is a post from the interiorscape.com message board.

"HI Everyone. I hope most of you remember who I am. Anyway I am Paul from Horticulture 2000. I posted a couple of messages here back in October about sales. I got to meet a couple of good people in the industry through e-mail Will Creed and Clem. Two really good men. Clem helped me rewrite my sales letter and with his help back in November landed a client. Will and I e-mailed each other a few times and I met Will in NYC for lunch in December. Really a great person.

Then in April I joined the inner circle Barb Helfmans Group and I got to tell you I really learned a lot from Barb. I think one of the biggest things I learned is about finding the Zebra. One thing about Barb she understands people very well. When I told Barb where I came from and my situation she was able to see it from my view and together we discussed a way to get my business to start growing again.

I have been in business now for 10 years I live in Long Island and have Clients both in NYC and LI. Back in the late 1990’s I went to 2 Alca shows in Fort Lauderdale. After the 1999 one I did not speak to anyone in the industry for over 7 years until October 2006. I had a bad experience at the Alca show in and was made to feel like an outsider at that event in Jan 1999. I go to great plant nurseries both in NYC and LI. That was the only people I have had contact with in the industry during those years.

I think speaking with Barb really changed my perception of the people industry. I am a small one man company. And I enjoy what I do. I am just writing to reintroduce myself to the people of the industry again and hoping to make more contacts. Besides Barb I would just like to thank 3 more people Clem and Will for making me feel welcome back last fall.

And To Brad Miller I have not spoke to him since Jan 1999 but years ago I got his video tape 11 ways to increase sales and some the advice he gave on that tape and to me in person years ago really helped get my business to a new level. I look forward to hearing from some of you."

Sincerely

Paul Levine Owner of Horticulture 2000

I think Paul should be commended for taking the first step and reaching out to others for mutual benefit and to learn.  I have no doubt he will make great progress in his business this year!  His example also holds a broader lesson for us all.  Even if you haven’t found benefit from reaching out in the past - try again.  People, circumstances and situations are always in flux.  Don’t let a previous negative experience color your entire perception & prevent you from networking with others.  Chances are your next contact will be the one that makes a great difference to your company!